What does the term feminist mean to you?

What does the term feminist mean to you?

My first impression when I hear the word feminist is to picture a makeup-less, female wearing clothing styles of the late 1960s or early 1970s, waving a placard or shouting out a slogan while marching in a parade. However, as I have matured and evolved, I have tried to learn about the "feminist movement," but I'm still not sure what that is beyond ideas of wanting equal pay for equal work and to be treated as a deserving and equal partner in the world.

I think of strong opinionated women who see a problem and make it their cause. They are unafraid of the consequences or what other people think of them. I applaud them and I thank them for smoothing out so many of the speed bumps on the roads that we women travel.

My mind goes to women like Gloria Steinem. She is smart, ambitious, interesting, strong and just happens to still be beautiful. She personifies what a women has the ability to become.

Feminism means strong women who aren't afraid to move forward with causes that they believe in.

A feminist does not have to be an activist. A feminist simply lives her life in the way that works for her - not because it is what society says she is supposed to be. A feminist can be a stay-at-home mom, or one who has no children or husband, or the 'super mom'. A feminist isn't bound by expectations or stereotypes.

To me, it simply means a woman who is completely self-supporting with no input from the male species.

Feminist means someone with an attitude and behaviors that show that they believe men and women are both capable and that opportunities should be open to sexes in all areas. They value diversity and participatory leadership and community.

I am the same age as Florence Gordon. My idea of feminism has evolved from the era of Gloria Steinam and Betty Friedan. They were pioneers, but at the same time they were so strident. Perhaps it was necessary at that time.
Feminism to me means to have the same opportunities and rights as men in every facet of our lives. This involves income and wealth, legal rights, educational rights, political opportunities, domestic rights, etc. It crosses cultural, social, and economic boundaries. A feminist will strive for equal rights for all women, but at the same time will respect the woman who chooses to be a stay-at-home mom.

I think of a feminist as someone who is strong and able to support herself. Also, someone who isn't afraid to offer her opinions no matter what the circumstance.

To me a feminist is a person who believes in and fights for equality for women. In all aspects of society, no exceptions.

A feminist ( to me) is a man or woman that gives the same berth to both genders. That is, they allow each person - male or female - to be and become all they are capable of and to grant grant them just due for their work, their intelligence and their being.

I read a nonfiction book some years ago by a geneticist who pointed out that there are many stops along the line that determines gender. That is, between the full out female/male destinations there are perhaps thousands of "local stops" giving each individual a huge range in which gender identity can settle. What we so narrowly -- and stubbornly -- define as gender is an ill-informed drop in a bucket of infinite possibilities. Which to me means the notion of feminist should be changed to maybe universalist.

Donnac's response resonates with me. A feminist is an independent person who recognizes and accepts the abilities, potential and accomplishments of members of both sexes. In the beginning of the feminist movement, feminists were single outspoken women who were leaders in defending their sex against blatant and latent attacks on them and their progress in society. The feminist movement has changed over the years, and it is now much more acceptable to be a feminist who is married with children. To me, Sheryl Sandburg is a leading feminist role model of that type today.

I believe feminist is an outdated term. I am an person who believes in and fights for equal rights for all individuals, regardless of gender.

Our wonderful reviewer, Suzanne Reeder, wrote an extensive piece on "Second Wave Feminism" for our beyond the book article on Florence Gordon last year. Members can read it at:
https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/btb/index.cfm/book_number/3117/florence-gordon#btb

The term to me is outdated. To me it connotes standing up for equal rights, opportunity and pay. It hasn't been that long ago that there were few women in medicine, politics, law and the typical choices for "girls" in growing up in the 1960's was to be a teacher, secretary or sales clerk. As recently as 1969 major department stores did not have female management trainees and it took a class action suit at Bank of America in the 1980's for women to break the glass ceiling into management. Florence Gordon is relevant.